22 Houston Cougars visit No. 13 Texas Tech Red Raiders on Friday, September 18, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET from Galaxy Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. Both teams enter at 2-0, with Houston coming off wins over Oregon State (33-20) and Southern (77-6) and Texas Tech coming off wins over Abilene Christian (33-10) and Oregon State (35-24).
Houston’s offense has set the pace early. Conner Weigman has thrown for 425 yards and four touchdowns with one interception in two games, and the Cougars are averaging 55 points per game.
Texas Tech has responded with its own aerial manufacturing. Will Hammond has passed for 487 yards and two touchdowns with one interception, and the Red Raiders are completing 75.8% of their passes, 10th in the FBS.
The Red Raiders are 7.5-point favorites over the Cougars on DraftKings, with a total of 52.5 and a money line of -306 for Texas Tech and +240 for Houston.
Below, we’ll give you all the details you need to know about how to watch this game.
How to watch houston tech vs texas
- When: Friday, September 18, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET
- Where: Galaxy Stadium, Lubbock, TX
- TV: FOX
- Transmission: Watch 3 days for free on FOX One
Players to watch
Texas Tech’s passing attack is rushing at a 75.8 percent clip, 10th in the FBS, and Hammond is the quarterback making that efficiency ride. Through two games he has thrown for 487 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception, while No. 13 The Red Raiders sit at 2-0 entering Big 12 play.
Houston has allowed 251.5 passing yards per game so far, so Hammond’s job is to stay on schedule against an otherwise stout Cougars defense. Clean mid-range shots and limited empty drives give Texas Tech its clearest path to control Friday night’s opener at Galaxy Stadium.
When Houston charges to slow down the pass, Williams becomes the Red Raiders’ answer on downs. He leads Texas Tech with 187 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns through two games, giving Lubbock a second gear behind Hammond.
Houston is allowing just 10.0 rushing yards per game, the kind of run defense that will test any cut. Winning Williams’ early downs and forcing the Cougars out of easy boxes opens up the rest of Texas Tech’s playbook in a 25 Big 12 start.
Houston is averaging 55.0 points per game after two wins, and Weigman is the quarterback who should keep that momentum alive on the road. He has thrown for 425 yards, 4 touchdowns and 1 interception while the open conference No. 22 Cougars plays at Texas Tech.
The Red Raiders are allowing 17.0 points and 268.0 passing yards per game, so the window is there if Weigman stays aggressive without feeding the golf ball. The timing of the throws and the finish of the machines prevent Houston from allowing Texas Tech to dictate a track meet on Friday night.
Houston’s ground game is the clearest early identity on the roster, ranking fifth nationally with 31 first downs and 308.0 rushing yards per game. Hughes leads him with 142 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns through two contests.
Texas Tech is allowing just 65.0 rushing yards per game, which makes any early success a statement. Hughes turning north-south and forcing the Red Raiders to crowd the box creates space for Weigman to work on the perimeter.
Houston’s technical odds against Texas
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